The first thing I will say is what the hell, Joey? You’re my boy, and you know I love you, but talk about a brain fart! I’ll leave it at that. Secondly, bow tie pasta? C’mon! Of course, you can figure out what it is Casey, and I will give you credit for the fish paste, mmm, delicious … NOT! Ok, so this is one of those fun challenges where the academic chefs seemed excited to participate but the faces on our lovely “practical” cheftestants told a different story. As Chefs we know how important it is to constantly seek information, to search near and far for fabulous new ingredients but more importantly educate ourselves on everything culinary. This was that challenge. Some did better than others, some got nervous at the hand of Rocco’s sultry stare and some, well … some just. So Casey congrats, I suppose. I wish the bee had been a little more challenging but there’s always next season ;)

Watching this episode I could not stop thinking about how much I miss Miami! Unfortunately, behind the nostalgia loomed the adolescent behavior that gets exposed around this time every season thus far. I guess the honeymoon is over! NO surprise -- 2 tickets to Italy for grabs, an elimination on the horizon and well, quite frankly, it’s a damn competition and these chefs are here to win, not make friends! That was apparent with Howie and Sara M. and I have to say both had valid arguments in regards to each other. I mean, I agree with Howie when it comes to teamwork -- looking at your partner and saying “let’s go win these tickets to Italy” means you have to let certain feelings go and allow the professional to show up.

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Good examples of professionalism are Tre and CJ. They both had a common goal and they knew how to get it done. Let me explain, in many kitchens cooks will run into a few personalities that don’t always work, just like that of certain flavor combinations. Then there are the most beautiful times when you meet someone who shares the same passion and commitment to a certain level of excellence; Times where creativity and execution dance. These are truly magical moments! But now I’m going to call out Hung cause honestly, give me a break! You are an Exec Sous Chef which means you’re responsible for making sure everyone is doing their job correctly, so what you said, in not so many words, is if in your kitchen you witness someone using the wrong technique you’re not going to (or don’t have the ability to) correct them? Hung this is where you step up. This is “Top Chef” and to quote Chef Tom, “not Top Sous Chef.” You dropped the ball too. In the end my friend and colleague had to pack his knives. I don’t agree with the decision.

Congrats Tre and CJ on a well deserved victory! BTW, I’m available for Italy if you need a traveling companion J

Watch what happens next!

So this challenge hit home and I’ll be honest, my expectations of this season’s chefs are pretty high! So onto the Quickfire challenge: frozen pie crust! My lovely Chef Dale, I understand your grief but let me tell u gurrrrl its much better than a roll of quarters and a vending machine!

So many ideas came to my mind. I mean, you have 90 minutes and a frozen shell that you can fill, bend, mold, wrap and shape into anything you want. Doesn’t seem so difficult, right? Wrong! Like true “Top Chef” style the simplest of challenges can become more difficult than imagined, but only the chef who can relax and let their mojo flow will prevail!

So right out of the blocks we know it couldn’t be Hung -- sorry brother but you’re slightly a FREAK. Now, don’t get me wrong, I think many of your earlier dishes were quite sophisticated, elegant even, but as of late what is going on? My boy, Chef Joey, it was so nice seeing you just do your damn thing! I find myself so envious of the amazing pantry available to the chefs this season -- go Chef Lee Anne! Ok, so enough of the obvious penthouse, hot tub and pantry envy I keep displaying and onto the nuances of this challenge.

Dale: saffron and strawberries? Oooh. But I don’t think Ms. F dug it too much. Sara M., can we say cheese tart? Joey: cardamom syrup … hmmm, reminds me of days cooking with you. Love it! Chef Brian had lots of energy. Way to go for it and take no prisoners! And the winner is … Joey! Yeaaaa! You have immunity. Congrats. You survive another week. Enjoy it while you can, hehehe.

Now the Elimination Challenge: cooking for VIP’s, the cast of “Dame Chocolate” and the theme is Latin favorites. I’ll be honest that not many of the chefs were familiar with “Latin” flavors, reaching mostly for familiar regional ingredients like those found in Mexican cuisine. I was a little disappointed.

Miami is a melting pot of ethnicity, with countries from South America and the Caribbean being represented prominently and this challenge exposed these very talented chef’s weaknesses. Then guess what happens next? Chefs you have 1 1/2 hours instead of 3 to prepare your dish! God, I love Top Chef!

Overall, everyone seemed to handle Chef Tom’s announcement in stride, except for Hung, who almost took someone out with his knife! Hung, its called Valium, or better yet, a little morning meditation. Sara M. I love your “interesting” reply to the “how is it going?” question posed by Chef Tom. Now let me tell you something about my Miami folks -- we are no nonsense kinds of people and, by the look on the chef’s faces, they learned that lesson rather quickly.

I want to take a special moment to say big ups to Sara N. for making her own Queso Fresco: Awesome! Although the stand out moment for me was when one of the cast of "Dame Chocolate" said that her least favorite was the ceviche because, “if you tell me it is guacamole I go for it, but…” Now that’s a true Miami moment for you!

Sorry Lia. You had to go. See you in NYC. Congrats to Joey and Howie -- new best buddies. You see, you just had to let the bull out and now everyone is fine! And for the rest of the chefs, Lia is a great example of how the tide can turn from challenge to challenge. So, in the words of my very good friend Woody: Stay focused. Stay fabulous.

Till next time!
Chef Josie